Raleigh Wedding Photographers »

It was contest time and we had over 5o entries in our Great Swank Babe Contest. As a Raleigh Family Photographer, this fun Facebook based contest generated some really good buzz as family and friends voted on their favorite to win a portrait session and other prizes.

It went like this: the contest was a simple postcard(posted to Facebook) that I made up that said I was looking for the next Great Swank Babe. There were four age groups ranging from newbie to five year olds. Applicants emailed me a snapshot of their child which I then posted on my Swank Photo Studio wall on Swank Photo Studio on Facebook. The contest was opened and they were invited to gather up their friends and family members to vote/ comment under their child’s photo. The person with the most votes from each age category was declared the winner.

Since then I’ve fulfilled 3 of the 4 sessions, the fourth to be completed on April 7th as they’re from Virginia. They are opting for a fun photo shoot with for their four year old daughter with tutu’s. Below are our winners. I’d like to congratulate them and thank them for their participation. Be on the lookout for the next contest. We’re going to be looking for the next Great Swank Vintage Vixen. Sure to attract some attention, as the Vixens always do!

So, in our Newbie category, we wish to congratulate Brayden Moore. Mom opted to add in older sister Kayleigh for an upgrade to her session. We also hosted a 4 mos. – 1 year old category and our winner was James Foy. In our 1-2year old category our winner was the daughter of a former bride of mine, Maddie Johnson. We had such a fun time at our sessions and I think we have some stellar looking images below.

Enjoy!

S-

Some came for their boyfriends. Two came for their fiance’s one of which is deployed in Iraq.  A couple came for a treat for themselves celebrating a special time in their lives. As a boudoir photographer in Raleigh, shooting a specialized brand what I’ve called Vintage Vixens, I realize the value of what I do as a photographic artist, how I’m impacting their lives and more importantly, what these clients do for me.

I had put a shout out in early January seeking my new Vixens to be and I had a nice handful of girls step forward. I love their stories, where they come from, & why they’re doing it. The reasons are great and different. However they all have one thing in common, nerves! I tell all of them that once Margo/Belloviso does her magic they’ll feel differently and the nerves are typically quelled within the first five minutes of shooting.

So below you’ll see Suzi, whose fiance is currently serving our country in Iraq. You’ll meet Tammy, whom you may remember from several months ago. She came back now the second time around to surprise her fiance for Valentine’s Day. There’s also Meagan & Shelly, young friends whom came together to surprise their boyfriends for Valentine’s Day. Saucy and vintage inspired Lisa an older vixen and absolutely gorgeous in her own right, just doing it for herself. And last, but not least, Mandy, a professed plus-size girl who is turning 30 and has a list of things she wants to accomplish and being a vixen was one of them!

I celebrate all of them for all of their own reasons. These boudoir sessions are always so special to me. I love the stories of the women that come before me, the reward is what I do for them and their significant others. I have a feeling I’ll be shooting Vintage Vixens for a long time!

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What an opportunity for those newly engaged, about to be engaged, or those just dragging their feet about setting their date and getting those wedding plans nailed down. The Carolina Inn Bridal Show coming up on January 30th, 2011 from 1-4PM, promises to not disappoint.

The Chapel Hill and UNC landmark, is proudly listed on National Register of Historic Places and is AAA Four Diamond rated. What I can tell you is that in the central North Carolina, it is one of the premier locations to play host to a wedding and it has been this way for decades. It draws on the many Tar Heels fans as it is steeped in tradition. The service and food are impeccable and when it comes to events and weddings at the Carolina Inn, it appears as seamless and effortless.

Having shot a multitude of weddings there over the course of my six year wedding photography career, it was particularly an honor this year when I was invited…….albeit finally, to be a part of their annual wedding tradition; their exclusive bridal show. I have to admit that the unknown is weighing heavily on me. Having never been to one of their shows has me wondering what it’s going to be like. A little different I suppose from the sheer numbers and size of  Forever Bridal\’sJanuary production, The Wedding Show.

And so it goes. I’ve got albums I’m preparing. Marketing materials designed and ordered, yet the most challenging aspect of doing a show is catching the brides’ eyes and keeping her there for awhile. It’s been tough this past year trying to figure out what the brides are in the market for, their budgets, and then pleading my case on experience and my art and how invaluable it is! My take: you get one chance to do it right and while price does not always determine quality, it does determine someone that understands business and the numbers. The art draws a potential client in. The personality match keeps that client there for longevity.

I’ve got 20 tickets left to this exclusive affair from 1-4PM at the Carolina Inn, January 30th. They’re going for the $15 each. Want them as a gift from Swank Photo Studio? Go to my Facebook page and “LIKE” me, Swank Photo Studio & also Raleigh Boudoir Photography and then comment on my walls. I’ll be sure to “LIKE” you back.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

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It’s such an honor! When people trust you with the most sacred moments in their lives to document and immortalize those little fragments of time. As a Raleigh maternity photographer, I recognize the importance of building on that relationship because it becomes more than just a one time session. The chances are great that they are choosing me to be their family photographer so in a sense, I will work doubly hard to win them over.

I’m fortunate in this case that it was easy. Jenny and I go back all the way to last year! She’s the daughter of Margo Williams of Belloviso, my hair and makeup artiste to the Vintage Vixens. I value her greatly as a person, but even moreso, in friendship.

And so it seems that this is becoming an annual tradition for us. Margo last year opted to do a session for Jenny, to surprise her for her birthday for some updated pics. The former model had no problem warming up to me and the camera and so it was…..easygoing. I dig Jenny’s vibe. She’s confident, pretty, and fun, albeit a little bit edgy. I embrace that.

Little did we know that we’d be partaking in another shoot for Jenny’s birthday a year later. It lined up perfectly at her six-seven month mark in pregnancy to do our annual birthday session. Six to Seven months is an ideal time to be documenting expecting Mom’s. Bellies are nice and round and Mom is glowing. I call it the second trimester triumph. Having just passed through the hurdle of the first tri, yet not quite engulfed in the trying third trimester.

Her confidence certainly came through for this session too. She wanted to document herself in all her glory in her very own birthday suit. Now I don’t usually shoot nudes. I like it clean and tasteful. However, what I failed to recognize at the time was that what we were about to do was entirely clean and tasteful. I embraced it. It was a first for me and I’m glad I was with someone so confident and comfortable in her own skin. An expecting mother is beautiful.

In a little over a month, I can officially call Margo “Grandma” and I look forward to documenting her with her new grandson.

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Instant connection was the name of the game when I met Danielle & Rich. Our Yankee roots instantly intertwined as I quickly found out about their class A Carolina Inn wedding in Chapel Hill. The stage was set for their late October evening wedding.

Danielle opted for rich reds and golds to carry out a romantic theme for her wedding. Her stunning and eye-popping bouquet chock full of red roses accented with stephanotis were done by none other than The English Garden of Raleigh. Sam Dockery and staff of Bliss by Sam were on site that day to help with day of coordination to ensure that the day flowed smoothly.

Their lively reception got underway in the Old Well room of the Carolina Inn. Danielle’s Greek heritage and Rich’s Italian heritage helped to play a big influence on the reception vibe. They danced the traditional Thracian dance led by Danielle’s aunt. Lacey and I had to be quick to get center floor as to not get tangled and entwined in the lively line of dancers! Later that evening they had a traditional cake cutting. Their three tiered red velvet cake by Tier Bella was enjoyed by all guests except for Danielle. My vegan bride had a special chocolate raspberry cake made especially for her.

I can feel comfortable saying, albeit being in the South, that ‘You Guys’ are off to a beautiful life together! Best wishes!

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It’s about the time of year again, where the love flows and the fun happens. Playing dress up is incredibly fun for you and a most surprising treat for him. As a leading Raleigh boudoir photographer I can assure you that the decision to do some sexy pics is not always an easy one, but the transformation from your everyday look to total glam girl will have you feeling differently about yourself and about the decision to move forward with the session.

Boudoir photography is the perfect way to surprise him whether it be for Valentine’s Day(see our promo below), his birthday, anniversary, or just for yourself, it’s a treat! The really fun thing about Vintage Vixens is our own special play on what we like to call old Hollywood soul photography. We’re not talking your average day pin up photography. Instead we specialize in portraiture with the look and feel of those glamorous Hollywood pictures;  YOU as fine art!

Everyone is in the same boat. As women we’re all quick to point out our flaws and focus only on them. We all have them and need to get over them fast. No one is perfect and everyone who enters my studio on portrait day is nervous. Common denominator: what they soon learn is that it’s just fun girl time. That first hour and a half spent with us, getting your hair and makeup done is sure to put you at ease.

We look forward to having you in studio this Valentine’s Day season. Please check out our fantastic promo below.

$595 includes your hair&makeup, honeybook with 5 pictures, and a disc of your pics, WHOA! This is a first for us. A super fun perk for having a session with us. Looking forward to having you. NOW BOOKING!

In glamour,

Stacy

I recently had the distinction of one of my images being chosen for the cover of Southern Bride & Groom magazine. And yet again as a Wedding Photographer in Raleigh, I am honored by now being featured on their blog, but not without distinct recognition of several key elements: first of which is my bride Jenna Tuberdyck-Germano and her groom Brian Germano whose reception took place at Prestonwood Country Club.

Their proposal story is one that will tug at your heartstrings as you’ll read that the very next day after Brian had asked for Jenna’s hand in marriage, her father had passed away quietly in his sleep. Please read more of their story on SB&G blog.

Further credit was given to Jenna and Brian’s wonderful vendors on the blog as well.

Southern Bride and Groom magazine is a classy magazine which fully embodies all that is bridal here in the North Carolina area. Brides and grooms alike will be sure to find a great resource for finding the best in the industry.

And for those other wedding pros not already a part of Southern Bride & Groom, the magazine is highly recommended as a great tool for advertising.

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Southern Bride and Groom | New Wedding Feature- Our SB&G Winter/Spring Cover Girl!.

The photo below by Swank Photo Studio is one of my favorites from this wedding!

In a pool of some locally amazing Raleigh Wedding Photographers, it’s always an honor to be featured in a magazine. Making the cover is blushworthy and I’m humbled!

My lovely September bride, Jenna Tuberdyck-Germano was just stellar to work with. To say the word FUN in her company is an understatement. There was no posing with this one. Her and her ultra exuberant husband in a pool of 20 bridal party members, WHOA! lived it up and had fun on the knoll of the 18th hole, Prestonwood Country Club. The picture I believe says it all……exactly how a bride should feel on her wedding day. Beautiful, carefree, and above all, happy!

A tremendous thank you to Southern Bride & Groom magazine for choosing my image and to Cydney of the The English Garden for Jenna’s gorgeous bouquet.

Bring on 2011!

S-

She traveled to me from VA. A good friend of another one of my Vintage Vixens, Tammy, the two are both from military backgrounds. She proclaimed to me that when the men are deployed they hit the gym and so do we! And, well, I guess get some hot, sexy pics taken. Once again, major props to Margo my hair and makeup artist extraordinaire of Belloviso for the transformation.

Look closely. No photoshop done on those gorgeous eyes! Yes, Sarah has one gorgeous green eye and one of a rich amber brown. WOW! It runs in her family.

Enjoy, Sarah!

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Not quite!  Actually, the ‘Triple S’ senior opted to forego her senior class ring in order to have a session with me.  All too flattering!  Made me want to work extra hard for her.  She is a casually fun girl with a little edge which came by way of a few shots we snapped with her looking like a biker chick with her dad’s Harley!

Best wishes in your senior year, Jessie!

S~